Quality of life of children and adolescents after kidney or liver transplantation: Child, parents and caregiver's point of view

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Abstract
A cross‐sectional study was performed to assess quality of life (QoL) after kidney or liver transplantation during childhood. Self‐questionnaires explored children, adolescent and parent QoL. Seventy‐five transplant children, 36 transplant adolescents, 67 mothers, 34 fathers and 67 caregivers filled out the questionnaires; they were compared with a reference population. Children reported a rather good QoL, but their extra‐family involvement appeared not as satisfactory as that of the reference population children. Adolescents reported a very high QoL when completing the structured format scale; however, their responses to open‐ended questions showed qualitative differences compared with those of a reference population: they expressed concern about their body or health, less pleasure than ordinary adolescents to manage by themselves, and a poor relationship with peers. Mothers indicated a deep impact of the child's illness on their own QoL, and the need for psychological support. In conclusion, a rather good QoL is a long‐lasting feature of kidney and liver transplantation in children. Such an assessment is mandatory to identify remaining impairments in some selected areas, either in the recipient or family.

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